But Clancy diverted Vladimir Weiss's cross into the net in the 87th minute and the hosts survived a late onslaught to claim all three points.

The Ibrox side are now two points behind leaders Celtic, who have played a game more, while fourth-place Kilmarnock hold a two-point advantage over Dundee United, the Tangerines having two games in hand.

Referee Muir awarded one penalty but turned down several other claims

Steven Whittaker, deployed in midfield after vacating the left-back role for Sasa Papac, was unable to direct his left-foot shot on target as Rangers probed for the opener.

Killie were keen to take advantage of any European hangover suffered by the hosts following their midweek draw with PSV Eindhoven and William Gros fired a shot over the Rangers crossbar early on.

David Silva was next to threaten for the visitors, curling a shot narrowly wide.

There was a lethargy about the Ibrox side's play, but they almost took the lead when Diouf's corner was knocked towards goal by Kyle Bartley and Mohamadou Sissoko was well placed to clear.

Diouf missed a gilt-edged chance, firing wide from six yards after Steven Davis's free-kick was diverted into his path.

Kilmarnock goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola spared Manuel Pascali's blushes when he collected the ball after the defender's clearance spun towards his own goal.

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Bartley headed Diouf's corner over and, at the other end, Hamill's shot spun wide of Allan McGregor's goal, the keeper restored to the Rangers line-up after being rested in midweek.

Rangers' play lacked creativity and their use of the ball was at times careless, but they took the lead in the 38th minute after breaking up a Kilmarnock advance.

Gros and Liam Kelly got in a muddle in the middle of the park and Rangers quickly moved the ball forward.

Steven Whittaker's pass found Diouf on the right-hand side and the on-loan Blackburn player fired home from inside the penalty area.

Nikica Jelavic forced Jaakkola into a save in the early stages of the second half when a pass to a team-mate may have been a better option for the Rangers striker.

Rangers appeared to be happy to sit on their lead and were punished when Killie were awarded a spot-kick.

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Foster's high challenge on Clancy was penalised by referee Alan Muir and Hamill converted from 12 yards.

The hosts went in search of the lead again and Diouf's free-kick was volleyed over by Bartley.

Foster tried his luck from 25 yards, but the left-foot effort dropped over the crossbar and Davis's free-kick attempt was also too high.

Rangers had two penalty claims turned down, Jelavic going down under pressure from the visiting defence before the home fans claimed the ball had struck the arm of Killie's Garry Hay.

In between times, Kyle Lafferty and Weiss were sent on from the Rangers bench for the final 15 minutes, Diouf and Foster withdrawn, as manager Walter Smith looked for a fresh impetus.

Rui Miguel, who had come on for Gros, went to ground in the Rangers box under pressure from Bartley but referee Muir again waved play on.

Sissoko sustained an injury and left the field, but Kilmarnock had to wait until a break in play to send on a replacement.

And while they were down to 10 men, the Ayrshire side fell behind again as Weiss's cross into a dangerous area was knocked past Jaakkola by the unfortunate Clancy.

Kilmarnock went in search of a second equaliser and had further penalty appeals turned down after Lafferty collided with Clancy in the area.

Live text and stats

Sunday, 13 March 2011

Scottish Premier

Home Team

Score

Away Team

Time

Rangers

2-1

Kilmarnock

FT

(HT 1-0)

Diouf 38

Clancy (og) 87

Hamill (pen) 61

Rangers

01 McGregor

03 Weir

05 Papac yellow card

12 Foster yellow card (Weiss 76)

16 Whittaker

21 Bartley

24 Bougherra

07 Edu

08 Davis

17 Diouf (Lafferty 75)

18 Jelavic yellow card

Substitutes

25 Alexander,

39 Wylde,

20 Weiss,

10 Fleck,

11 Lafferty,

15 Healy,

41 Hutton

Kilmarnock

53 Jaakkola

02 Clancy

03 Hay yellow card

04 Fowler

06 Sissoko (Aubameyang 89)

07 Bryson

08 Hamill

14 Silva

22 Kelly

29 Pascali yellow card

28 Gross (Rui Miguel 61)

Substitutes

21 Letheren,

15 Berntsson,

27 Laurent,

09 Rui Miguel,

17 Agard,

38 McKenzie,

87 Aubameyang

Ref: MuirAtt: 42,417

RANGERS

KILMARNOCK

Possession

Rangers55%

Kilmarnock45%

Attempts on target

Rangers7

Kilmarnock0

Attempts off target

Rangers12

Kilmarnock5

Corners

Rangers7

Kilmarnock3

Fouls

Rangers13

Kilmarnock11

Full Time

90:00+3:59 The match has reached full-time.

90:00+3:04 Vladimir Weiss decides to take the corner short.

90:00+2:50 Tim Clancy crosses the ball, save by Allan McGregor.

90:00+0:27 A cross is delivered by James Fowler, Kyle Bartley manages to make a clearance.

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